FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In a perfect world, the Jets’ bye week would have given Nick Mangold’s sprained right ankle a chance to heal and get him back on the field.

Instead, Mangold watched practice out of uniform on Wednesday and coach Todd Bowles admitted that the Jets might have to consider the injured reserve some time in the future. They have not discussed surgery, Bowles said.

Ross to special teams

Bowles said Wednesday that they hope to use Jeremy Ross on punt returns and some kick returns. The Jets signed Ross Tuesday for his third stint with the team; he was last released on Oct. 11.

The hope, Bowles said, was to have rookie Jalin Marshall concentrate primarily on his receiving role, since Marshall has “struggled a little bit catching the ball” on the punt return. “We’re trying to take something off his plate.”